The Regulation of Fatty Acid Synthesis and Oxidation by Malonyl-CoA and Carnitine

Abstract

A reciprocal control mechanism for hepatic fatty acid synthesis and oxidation has been discovered. The level of malonyl-CoA determines the rate of fatty acid synthesis, whereas the activity of carnitine acyltransferase determines the rate of fatty acid oxidation. Since malonyl CoA inhibits carnitine acyltransferase, a high rate of fatty acid synthesis results in a low rate of fatty acid oxidation, and vice versa.

malonyl-CoA, carnitine, acylcarnitine, carnitine acyltransferase I, fatty acid synthesis, fatty acid oxidation, glucagon, 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid